Today in Hip-Hop: Heavy D & the Boyz Drop ‘Big Tyme’ Album

1989:Heavy D & The Boyz fully step into rap stardom with Big Tyme, a second LP that proved bigger and better than their first.

On June 12, 1989, the clique comprised of rapper Heavy D and dancers G-Whiz (Glen Parrish), "Trouble" T. Roy (Troy Dixon), and Eddie F, served up a heavier dosage of the upbeat, feel-good tunes they injected the rap world with on their debut LP, Living Large. Laced with bouncy breakbeats and bits of radio-ready R&B crooning, Big Tyme helped define New Jack Swing, a largely Teddy Riley-crafted genre. Riley produced the album alongside hip-hop legends like Marley Marl, DJ Eddie F and Pete Rock, so that much makes sense.

Building off the moderate success of their debut, the second effort from Heavy D and the Boyz spawned hit singles like "Somebody for Me," "We Got Our Own Thang," and "Gyrlz, They Love Me," propelling Big Tyme into the big time. Eventually, the project made its way to number 19 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

While Heavy D and the Boyz's second LP didn't end up reaching the commercial heights of their twice platinum fourth album, Nuttin' But Love, the project proved to be an important formative LP for a group that would become one of hip-hop's most iconic.

Take a moment today to reflect on the legacy of the late Heavy D. Maybe you can do so while checking out Heavy D & The Boyz's "Somebody for Me" video.